Welcome, welcome, one and all, and Happy Holidays! This is the 80th edition of the Weekly Watchlist which means only one thing!
The Weekly Watchlist Wrestling Roulette!
Yes, that's right folks, it's time for the once-every-10-weeks tradition to return! You guys know the deal (and if you don't, I break it down in the Weekly Roundup), I let a random number generator pick matches from my master spreadsheet of matches. I've got over 2500 matches to pick from (including stuff I've watched already, obviously) so only the RNG gods know what I'll be watching this week!
Why don't you read on and find out, eh?
Weekly Roundup
Here's the rules for Wrestling Roulette;
1: I am allowed to pick 5 matches of my own from the list/not on the list I want to watch.
2: I am allowed as many rerolls as necessary until I land on a match I have not watched yet.
3: I am allowed 3 rerolls total if I land on a match I do not want to watch.
4: I am allowed to skip a match for free if it is too difficult to find or exists behind a paywall I do not want to pay for.
5: Wrestling matches can still be watched if they are not going to be up for consideration for a Wrestling Roulette review.
So, here's what I watched for the week;
AEW Continental Classic 2025
AEW Collision - Holiday Special - Day 2 - 12/20/2025
Mike Bailey vs. Jack Perry
Showing that he has retained much of what made Jack Perry the "Jungle Boy" of old, he's more than equal to the task of standing toe-to-toe with the "Speedball" Mike Bailey. Able to match in both speed and power, Perry starts the match with a tweaked ankle but is able to muscle through the apparent injury to continue to push Bailey to the limit. It's a closely fought match, with both men avoiding or outright countering the best moves from the other man's arsenal, with Perry making a solid claim that he is more than just a Darby replacement. Perry makes the most of Bailey's bare feet in the final moments, biting a blocked superkick before scoring the winning pinfall.
After the bell, Santa-saurus comes to the ring with a sac of gifts for both Bailey and Bryce Remsburg, the referee. Merry Christmas, friends.
Perry wins, +3
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kevin Knight
The C2 has reminded me that, with just a little bit of time and care, you can elevate anyone to a position where they can contend with some of the best wrestlers on your roster. Knight is a more than capable wrestler, but one may expect him to fall short against someone the calibre of Okada. Despite those predispositions, Knight was able to weather the storm against Okada and put in a stellar shift against the Champion of the C2, kicking out of some impressive moves and standing strong in an early strike exchange, that did a good job of telling Okada exactly who he was in the ring against. In a result that caught not only me, but I'm sure everyone in attendance off guard, Knight was able to survive The Rainmaker and pin Okada in shocking fashion!
Knight wins, +3
AEW Dynamite - Dynamite On 34th Street 2025 - 12/24/2025
Orange Cassidy vs. Konosuke Takeshita
With Cassidy nearly catching Takeshita with a three in the opening moments, The Alpha finds himself against a very game challenger, with both men trying to move into the lead in the Blue League of the C2. A highly competitive match between both men, with Takeshita repeatedly looking for Raging Fire but Cassidy is able to slip free and nearly get the better of Takeshita time and time again. As resilient as ever, Cassidy puts in a solid shift and brings Takeshita closer to defeat than you may expect Cassidy to be able to. A Beach Break on the apron nearly puts Takeshita out on the floor, with the crowd hooked on every move from both men. In the end, Raging Fire scores Takeshita the win. A real highlight from the C2.
Takeshita wins, +3
Roderick Strong vs. Mascara Dorada
A strong and pivotal match for both men, Strong looks to score his first points in the C2, staying on the offensive in the opening stretch of this match to try and grant himself some sort of victory in this tournament, despite being mathematically eliminated at this point in the tournament. Dorada is able to use his speed and agility to outsmart Strong at various points, catching the veteran unawares at a few key points in this match. Looking for End of Heartache, Strong is unsuccessful, with Dorada able to land a shooting star press for the three.
Dorada wins, +3
PAC vs. Jack Perry
Both men opting to treat this more like a wrestling match despite their high-flying styles, PAC hones in on that ankle injury from earlier in the tournament, showing that he's done his homework going into this one. Despite the weakened base, Perry is still able to move quicker than expected and catch PAC with some aerial, high-impact moves. But, living up to his moniker of "Bastard," PAC is brutal in how he counters Perry and shows no mercy when on offence. A casual pin on PAC nearly cost Perry, with the Brutalizer almost putting Perry out of the tournament. Biting his way out of another Brutalizer, Perry rolls PAC up for the win.
Perry wins, +3
AEW Collision - Christmas Collision 2025 - 12/25/2025
Jack Perry vs. Kyle Fletcher
With the entire Gold League at 6 points, it's make-or-break in this match, with Perry looking to go 2-in-a-row with his victories, but his ankle proves to be a challenge for him in the opening moments. Fletcher focuses in on the ankle early on, beating the snot out of Perry when he's able to get vertical. With Perry trapped by his good leg, Fletcher removes the boot from the damaged foot, damaging his foot directly and wanting to completely remove Perry's foundation from the equation. A vicious ankle lock nearly sends Perry out, but Perry is able to counter and nearly put Fletcher out with a choke of his own, both men not giving an inch. Despite the injury, Perry holds on until the final minute of the match, eventually falling to the sheer drop brainbuster.
Fletcher wins, +3
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mascara Dorada
The leader of the C2, Takeshita looks to further his position at the top of the ladder by keeping Dorada down. Despite his arrogant attempts to block Dorada, his aerial skills and athleticism prove to be too much for Takeshita to handle on a number of occasions, managing to get the best of The Alpha. Both men spend a great deal of time on the ropes and in the corner, with Takeshita getting the better of the exchange with a lariat that leads to the Raging Fire for the victory. Fun match.
Takeshita wins, +3
Roderick Strong vs. Claudio Castagnoli
After getting a pep talk backstage from O'Reilly, Strong looks to score his first victory in the C2. Although it won't put him anywhere close to competing in the semifinals, perhaps it will grant Strong a bit of much needed confidence. Early on, Castagnoli wants to put Strong away with a quick count out victory, but Strong pushes through the pain and continues to fight back. The fastest win of the C2, an exposed knee knocks Claudio out cold for the win!
Strong wins, +3
PAC vs. Kevin Knight
Coming off the heels of Claudio's flash loss, there are questions in the air about whether PAC will adjust his style for this match, maybe thinking better of coming out of the gate so hot. It's an evenly matched match, with Knight regularly getting in the face of PAC and challenging him for more, refusing to back down. PAC is more than game, but gets caught more than a couple of times by the aerial techniques of Knight. The further along this match goes, the more people are getting behind Knight, the chants growing louder as the risks get bigger. Knight survives the lariat as PAC tries for the black arrow, but it's unsuccessful! It's a mad dash of pins and tight offence in the last 30, then 15 seconds. With the Brutalizer locked in, Knight survives for 10 seconds to let the time limit expire.
It's a draw, +1 to both men
Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley
Relying on his speed, Cassidy tries to take Moxley down with speed and slick pin attempts before things can get into too deep of water. Mox, on the other hand, drags Orange to the floor and begins to work him over on the outside, wearing down an opponent that has given him trouble in the past. With Orange managing to hold on despite Moxley's onslaught, he bides his time until Moxley's wounded ankle gives way beneath him, giving OC the chance to gain an advantage against one of his greatest rivals. With Moxley's leg weakened, he continues to try and tie up Cassidy for a rear naked choke, but OC is able to muscle his way out and nearly force Mox to submit. Able to eek out a victory with a tight rollup, Moxley is able to pick up the victory.
Moxley wins, +3
Kazuchika Okada vs. Mike Bailey
The final TV match for the C2 sees Okada look to secure his place in the semifinals of the C2 tournament. It all hangs in the balance with this match, and Bailey is putting in a solid shift to try and make sure a new Continental Champion is crowned at Worlds End, with Bailey hoping to fight for the gold. The final 5 minutes sneak up on both men, with Okada crushing Bailey with a Rainmaker but Bailey fights his way out and pushes Okada close to the edge, but Okada is able to tie up Bailey and keep him down for the victory.
Okada wins, +3
Here's where the C2 currently stands going into Worlds End;
Here’s what we’re reviewing for the Watchlist;
• • • • •
Johnny Kidd vs. Terry Frazier - A World of Sport Miss
 |
| Squaring up in the square circle. wXw |
Bell to Bell
At it's core, the World of Sport rule set harkens back to the British wrestling of yesteryear. Using a best two out of three falls format along with timed rounds, the focus becomes less about how quickly or soundly you can defeat your opponent for one, decisive fall, and more about how you can best your opponent on a technical level, trying to pin them in succession. Many "old school" matches use this system of two out of three falls, using it as a way to better determine who, out of the two combatants, is really the better man. Sure, you can score an early fall out of luck, but to get a man down twice is a whole different feat. It wasn't until more "modern" times that matches started to be held under one fall rules more often than not, with rounds and multiple falls being reserved for special occasions.
This match really feels like it wouldn't be out of place of it happened 30 years prior, with both men working a much slower, more technical pace than your traditional match. While this isn't a problem on it's own, the way these two work together has me a bit put off, and I feel like it's more a critique of these individual wrestlers than the World of Sport rule set they are competing under.
Far too often in this match did these two men enter into a, dare I say the dreaded word, sequence, that felt far too contrived and co-operational for it to feel authentic or like either man was trying to best the other. Few of their holds felt like theu had a lot of muscle behind them, and far too often did they dip into the hokey Johnny Saint bag of extra movements before executing a manoeuvre. Now, before you come at me with pitchforks, I like Johnny Saint and a lot of what he brings to the table, but you can't tell me with a straight face that half of the moves in the clip were utterly nonsensical. Yes, I also understand we're talking about wrestling here, but when the entire presentation of the match is meant to convey a struggle and effort being put in to best the other mans hold, doing cutesy little moves to pop the crowd doesn't really do anything for me, sorry to say.
More often than not, I found myself looking at my phone or on another tab during this match, really struggling to get invested in anything these two did. I can certainly see how this would be entertaining to the right crowd, and maybe I'm just extra cynical or "think I've seen too much real wrestling" to be able to enjoy this for what it is, but as far as enjoyment goes, this match didn't catch my interest.
It went 5 rounds total, with Frazier picking up the first fall in round 3 and then Kidd picking up two straight falls in round 4 and 5.
 |
| Tying him up in knots. wXw |
Overview & Final Rating
🟡 - A missable matchup
I talk frequently about how much I enjoy matches that feel like actual wrestling bouts. It's one of the reasons I enjoy Bloodsport matches so much, it's two wrestlers trying to best each other in physical chess. The matches feel like legitimate contests where any one move could lead to the other being bested. I know this match is meant to feel like actual wrestling, but it's on the opposite end of that spectrum. Where Bloodsport feels like sport, this World of Sport type match, at least this one here, feels closer to "entertainment" than anything. Very rarely did I feel like either man was trying to physically best the other, it felt too choreographed and played out, like everything was just part of them going through the motions to get to the next move. I've seen World of Sport style matches done really well, but this more felt like a parody of those types of matches than an actual homage or attempt at doing something similar.
• • • • •
Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk - Going Broadway in Dayton
 |
| Adhering to the Code of Honor. ROH |
Bell to Bell
Strap in folks, this one is a doozy. Part one of the legendary feud that defined a generation of fans, Punk vs. Joe 1 stands out as one of the most iconic hour long matches in an era where "going broadway" was almost unheard of. It had been a long time since a wrestling company, and I mean that in the literal sense of the word, a company (such as WCW, for example) that cared more about putting on athletic contests than entertainment spectacles, put on a match that went the distance. For years, time limits were a thing of the past, seen as a relic of a bygone age and something that fans didn't care about anymore.
Then, along came Ring of Honor, a promotion that believed strongly in the roots of wrestling and sought to bring that passion and love for the sport to a new generation of fans. Adherence to rules, lengthy title reigns, and "wrestling" as the most important part of any show, ROH was seen as a beacon of hope in a world dominated by sports entertainment.
Speaking of dominating, this match pits reigning world champion Samoa Joe against a very recently appointed number one contender in CM Punk. Winning the championship in march of 2003, Joe had just passed the one year mark as champion, bulldozing everyone who stood in his way. This right here is what established Joe as a world beater, a killer, the reason people still chant "Joe is gonna kill you." It was rare for Joe matches to go long, and even rarer for any match, anywhere in the country, to go as long as this one did.
That's part of the magic of this match, seeing Joe and Punk beat seven bells out of each other for a full 60 minutes sounds insane, and that's exactly what this match is. Insane. Now, granted, it's not the best hour long match I've ever seen, as these kinds of matches tend to get overindulgent, long-in-the-tooth, and exhausting as each minute passes, and this one unfortunately suffers from it's length, in my opinion. Far too often did I notice repeated spots, prolonged selling, or moments that you wouldn't see in a match where these two know they need to wrap it up in 15 or 25. They give it to each other pretty good at the start, but also aren't afraid to go for a double knuckle lock 10 minutes in, something you don't normally see in shorter matches. At least none that come to mind right off hand.
Something else that makes this match feel a bit overindulgent, is the time spent outside. Something I never realized in my limited viewing of vintage ROH, was there is no time limit outside the ring. So, in theory, these two could spent 45 minutes brawling on the floor and get away with it. They don't quite spend that much time outside, but they take advantage of this lack of rules fairly often, sometimes taking minutes to get into it with fans or pace ringside before going for the next big move.
In the end, exhaustion is what costs these men any chance at victory. Punk goes for a pin in the last 10 seconds, but Joe kicks out and the match is ruled a draw. Despite the fans chanting for 5 more minutes, it remains a draw, with Joe retaining as a result.
 |
| Exhaustion overcomes you. ROH |
Overview & Final Rating
🟢 - Slightly overindulgent, but still highly recommended.
A fun and hard hitting match that kept me invested for... most of the action, part of my complaints for this match comes from the curse of knowledge. Walk with me here for a minute. In the digital age we live in, it's easier and easier to find matches and shows online that you may have missed and want to enjoy. I, myself, am constantly finding matches and shows that I'm adding to my collection, and YouTube is a huge part of why my collection has exploded like it has. One of the issues, however, is loading up a video for a match and seeing the playtime right from the word go, giving you a good idea of what you are in for. Sure, some videos have inflated playtime because they include promos, backstage bits, entrances, all the fluff that comes along with wrestling. But when you see a match that has an hour playtime, especially one as iconic as Punk vs. Joe, you already know what you are getting into. As a result, I find it hard to get invested in a match 20 years later when I know I don't need to bit on any of the early pinfalls. Or, in the case of this match, any pinfall at all. It's not so much a commentary on the match, but on modern-day watching habits, that I am guilty of partaking in. I enjoyed this match, but knowing it was going an hour hurt it for me, as a fan viewing with fresh, modern eyes. Still enjoyable, but a match you'll need to really be in the mood to enjoy to the fullest.
• • • • •
Fritz von Erich vs. Giant Baba - Black, White, and Unremarkable
 |
| Going over the rules. JWA |
Bell to Bell
Y'know, this is one of the things I love about Wrestling Roulette, getting to really dig into the archives of my collection to find some quality wrestling from years gone by. The stuff that not a lot of people get to see and even fewer remember. This is why I started Wrestling Roulette. Well, maybe not for matches like this one, but the sentiment still stands.
Despite being deeply interested in the Von Erich family (which I get into in the next match), I've seen very little of Fritz's matches. Mostly due to the age of these matches, putting the barrier for entry at a much higher level, both from the perspective of availability as well as quality. I was pleased to see Fritz going to town on Baba right from the start withb some good looking strikes and kicks, more than likely one of very few wrestlers that could push Baba in such a convincing way. Fritz stands pretty well eye to eye with Baba here, not looking like he's at any real disadvantage here whatsoever.
They trade back and forth early on, with both men bumping and selling big time for the other, especially Fritz, not afraid to go jelly legged or stumble around from the swats of Baba. Eating the first fall, Fritz locks on the dreaded Iron Claw when he gets off the canvas, trying to would Baba enough to easily score the second and third fall in quick succession.
From here, the match really just feels like more of the same. The physical limitations of this match turn it into a largely kick-punch affair, with Fritz continually going for the claw, Baba fighting out, and both men ending up on the floor from time to time as their brawling can't be contained. It's largely unremarkable and honestly, pretty underwhelming. Look, I know it's 19666, I'm not expecting 25 near falls, a piledriver off the middle rope or a sequence of german suplex's, but I wish we got a touch more wrestling from these two. Baba was too quick to escape to the floor when Fritz got the better of him, even if he's meant to be the babyface in peril here, you should be able to muscle your way out of more of Fritz's shit in order to survive and get the comeback. Again, maybe I'm overly cynical, but I wanted more out of this match than what I got.
Fritz got the second fall and tied the match up, with Baba, again on the floor, bringing a chair in to try and even the odds. Fritz gets the chair away from Baba and swings, cracking Baba as he re-enters the ring and... that's all! The third and final fall is ruled a DQ, with Baba winning as a result of Fritz's chair shot. (Let's ignore Baba using the chair outside the ring for convenience sake) Pretty flat and underwhelming way to end an already underwhelming match. Not great, honestly.
 |
| You dirty, no good bastard! JWA |
Overview & Final Rating
🔴 - Easily forgettable
It can be hard to get into these old school matches sometimes, especially when you know neither man in the match is particularly gifted or exceptional between the ropes. Baba was never a workhorse and neither was Fritz, so there would be some pretty clear limitations this match would need to overcome for it to be something worth remembering. Unfortunately, it wasn't able to get past those issues and be anything even remotely passable. Baba is slow and plodding, and Fritz is surprisingly quick and nimble on his feet, putting in an impressive shift against Baba, but it sadly wasn't enough. The crowd bit on moments with the Iron Claw, but a fucked finish only brought the enjoyment I had for this match crashing down. How Fritz was able to raise a family of world-class (pun intended) wrestlers like he did, I'll never know.
• • • • •
Buddy Roberts & Terry Gordy vs. Kevin von Erich & Mike von Erich - Christmas with the Von Erich's
 |
| Christmas in Reunion Arena. WCCW |
Bell to Bell
A match that is slightly more convoluted than it needs to be, this unique loser-leaves-town match pits long time rivals the Fabulous Freebirds against Texas' own Von Erich's. As the announcer points out at the opening bell, whichever Freebird loses in this match is no longer allowed to wrestle in Texas for one year. But, no matter which Von Erich is pinned, Kevin is not allowed to wrestle in Texas for a year. What, did dear 'ol dad want to make sure young Mike could still wrestle in the territory? Oh, and as Terry Gordy is frequent in pointing out, if the Von Erich's lose, Michael Hayes can come back to Texas.
Let me address the boisterous elephant in the room right from the start of this match, Terry Gordy is in some sort of mood in this match, as he is shit talking right from the moment he makes it down the aisle. He's bickering with the crowd, shouting at young Mike, anything that moves and breathes, Gordy has a bone to pick with them and he's not quiet about it one bit. It's thoroughly enjoyable listening to Gordy come alive in this match, adding another element of fun to this lively matchup.
It should go without saying, but the Von Erich's are deities in Texas, especially in their home promotion of World Class. There's been plenty of documentation on the Von Erich family, which I hope to add to the canon of one day (I'm obsessed with the Von Erich's), but it cannot be understated just how adored they are in this match. When Gordy gets in and starts mauling young Mike, the crowd sounds like they're being electrocuted. The sound of the women in the crowd alone is unreal, they're losing their fucking minds.
Somehow flying completely under the radar, Santa Claus has appeared at ringside now, interested in the action after a busy day of delivering presents to the world. It's a tough gig, I guess he just wanted some time off, y'know? It's not long before jolly old Saint Nick makes himself an active participant in the staged athletics, attacking Mike when he's out on the floor while Gordy and Roberts double team Kevin in the ring. Bronko Lubich, the referee, is down and out as bedlam breaks out, with another referee, David Manning, hitting the ring to try and lend a hand.
Kevin and Mike are able to double team on Gordy, with a sunset flip from Kevin and a kick from Mike sending him down for the final three count. Santa Claus is quick to get in the ring and celebrate with the brothers, and equally quick to turn on Mike without a moments notice. He lariats him into the naughty list, laying into him with coal-lump fists as his hairpiece slips off, revealing the unmistakable golden locks of Michael Hayes. A piledriver to Mike is Hayes' last effort to take out the young Von Erich before he darts to the back, his Santa outfit falling apart in pieces as he runs.
 |
| Looks like it backfired on ya, Gordy. WCCW |
Overview & Final Rating
🟢 - Highly recommended Christmas fun
Maybe not an exceptionally action-rich match, the heat and passion felt in Reunion Arena on that night cannot be understated. The crowd was hanging on every little thing the Von Erich's did and were hardily against the mere presence of the Freebirds. The Von Erich's are still in top shape here and are yet to be mired in controversy surrounding the passing of David and untimely accident of Mike, and that energy is felt the entire way through this match. It's also just fun to picture yourself on Christmas day in Texas, opening gifts in the morning, maybe having a nice Christmas Eve leftovers lunch, and then heading down to see some wrestling with the Von Erich's in the evening. It makes me feel all warm and cozy, y'know?
• • • • •
Another week down, and another Roulette behind us. This has got to be the earliest I've finished a Weekly Watchlist in a long time, drafting this one up on a Tuesday for Christsake. Sure, I still had the Christmas Eve and Christmas AEW matches to cover, but I can knock those out in no time at all, so I consider this an absolute win for me!
With that said, I want to wish all of you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. No matter what you happen to celebrate, if you celebrate anything at all, I hope this season treats all of you well.
Until 2026, be well, stay safe, and love one another.
cliffmorganwstl@gmail.com
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